Foods to Eat on a High Protein Diet

High-protein diets are extremely useful in short-term circumstances. For most people, they are very effective for quick weight loss over several weeks. And for some, they can be effective even longer. However, over time high-protein diets can hurt nutritional balance by avoiding certain types of foods.

Meats

When on a high-protein diet, there are certain foods that are better than others. Meats are typically high in protein and are a good source for this type of diet. These include beef, pork, fish and chicken. When eating certain meats such as beef, be careful not to select cuts with too much fat. Fish is the best source, since it is very low in fat and has so many other benefits.

Beans

There are many types of beans that are high in protein, and they are a good choice since they are low in fat. Black beans, pinto beans and kidney beans are among the types high in protein. However, they have been known to give some people stomach troubles such as gas, so it is best to eat them only if they don't cause digestive problems.

Dairy

Dairy foods are good sources of protein and include cheese, milk or yogurt. As long as there is no lactose intolerance issue, these are good sources of protein and are healthy in other ways as well, such as being high in calcium. Be sure to eat low-fat varieties.

Prepackaged Protein Foods

Protein powders or protein bars are ways to get high protein intake quickly. These products have a high protein content, and although some have added sugar and taste more like a candy bar, many are less flavorful. You can eat protein bars just like snack bars, although some are designed to replace an entire meal. Protein powders are meant to be mixed with liquid.

What to Avoid

If you are aiming for a high-protein diet, it is important to know what to avoid. Do not eat starches of any kind, including breads, potatoes, noodles and certain vegetables such as corn. Avoid fruits, even though they are healthy, because they are high in sugars. Other vegetables such as green beans, lettuce, or celery are not high in protein, but are beneficial to eat on any diet, because they are full of vitamins and minerals.